WE GET
MOVIESEXPECT MORE FROM
YOUR FILM BUYER
MOVIES
YOUR FILM BUYER
The team of film buyers at Clark Film Buying serve our movie theater exhibitors by getting the movies and content they need to run successful theaters. Our film buyers are experienced, invested and strategic movie theater partners. Our comprehensive booking process, underlined by the latest technology, saves time and resources so that our movie theater operators can focus on other aspects of their business.
Exhibitor Engagement
Clark Film Buying puts ours exhibitors first. Their success is our success. From single-screen cinemas to multi-screen complexes, the movie theaters we work with are invested in providing new and exciting experiences that make audiences feel more engaged and entertained.
Benefit from Scale
Since opening our doors in 1994, our buying circuit of independent exhibitors has grown to become the largest and most diverse, from size of operations to the makeup of the communities they serve. This diversity allows us to understand what movie theater operators need in order to book films and run a profitable business.
Booking Movies Made Easy
Clark Film Buying has invested in creating a proprietary movie theater booking system that utilizes a robust film database to offer our movie theater owners and managers all the data, assets and resources they need to program and market their theaters effectively. Access your movie theater's bookings anywhere, at anytime, and quickly get to the information that matters.
Booking Matrix
Preview and manage your bookings across all weeks and screens. Access film rental terms, flash gross history, and booking related policies.
Film Database
Find ratings, run times, early show dates and ticket on sale dates, distributor approved marketing and promotional assets and more on every movie booking. View the latest movie trailers and preview one-sheets and other assets to post on your social media before you download them.
Schedule a consultation to gain access to the leading online booking tool for movie theaters.
“Ken and Codi are two of the best professionals we have had in our corporate careers. When we decided to open this business we did not have a lot of experience and not a lot of guidance. They both were a wealth of knowledge and knew how to help us scale very quickly. They offer expert advice and use data to help drive our decisions from when we opened to now. They are true partners in the industry and knows so much about trends and how to increase revenue. We would not be where we are today and made it through COVID without them. ”
Get the Best Content
Reach your audience with the right entertainment options. Book big-budget films from the major distributors, discover art house style flicks or engage new audiences with an old classic. At Clark Film Buying you get a dedicated film buyer and a customized booking strategy that fits your needs.
Chose Blockbusters from the Major Distributors
We have built strong relationships with all the major movie distributors giving us access to the hits on their slates and in their libraries including: Disney, Universal, Warner Brothers, Sony, Paramount and more.
Alternative Content
Get connected with alternative and emerging content from Joe Hand Promotions, Iconic Events, and Adventure Entertainment to consistently fill your seats.
Learn more about our booking strategies and find one that fits you.
“Unhappy with our previous film buyer, we started with Clark Film Buying in 1997. Since then, we have grown from 6 to 62 screens. Clark Film Buying has been a key partner in our success.”
Personal Exhibitor Support and Insight
Clark Film Buying recognizes that every movie theater faces unique challenges and we partner with our movie exhibitors to understand their particular market and needs. We take that insight and combine it with our knowledge of the greater film industry and the experiences of other movie theater operators in our circuit to find the right solutions.
Empower Decision Making
Clark Film Buying believes in and respects the autonomy of our movie theater operators to make the most informed decisions for their theaters. All final booking decisions rest with the exhibitor.
Responsive to issues
As a movie theater partner you can rely on Clark Film Buying to be responsive and available anytime to handle movie booking issues as they come up. We have a full staff of movie bookers, office assistants and graphic designers, who work closely together to address the needs of your movie theater.
Let us discuss how we can support your theater.
“For nearly 20 years, Clark Film Buying has been a great partner for our company. Their relationship with the many studios is a remarkable asset. We are glad to have them on our team.
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Competitive Monthly Fees
Clark Film Buying works with our movie theater exhibitors to tailor a flat monthly fee that fits the budgets of all types of movie theaters. Additional services may require additional fees. We do not require long term contracts. If our film booking system and movie strategies are not working for our exhibitors they can cancel anytime.
Design Services
We have a very talented graphic designer on staff to assist with any custom promotions, logo updates, film festival and movie series one-sheets and online movie theater advertising.
Site Evaluations
Need some fresh eyes on your movie theater location? Clark Film Buying would love to come and inspect your movie theater. We can evaluate and create a strategic plan to tackle inefficiencies or to highlight engaging experiences.
Find out more about our services and fees and how we can fit into your budget.
“We switched to Clark Film Buying after using another booker who did everything the old school way. They had no website or resources to help us make payments to studios. CFB has a modern web platform that shows all our past, current, and upcoming bookings along with our grosses. They list all the studios' contact info so we can easily make payments. I also love that we can download high quality posters and other promotional materials right from our account. I highly recommend CFB for your booking needs!”
Clark Film Buying is a responsive, invested, modern film buying circuit made up of a diverse selection of independent movie theater exhibitors. Our team of film buyers combine a vast knowledge of the industry with technology to unburden movie theater operators and help them succeed in the movie exhibition industry.
Film buyers represent their movie theater exhibitors in negotiations with film distribution companies. They do so by negotiating what films will be played in which theaters, the duration of exhibition and on what terms the film rental will be billed at. Clark Film Buying does this by being informed about all upcoming movies and establishing solid relationships and reputations with film distribution companies.
Clark Film Buying uses the traditional Film Buyer title but all the others still describe our service of booking movies and other content on behalf of movie theaters.
Clark Film Buying offers theater operators a responsive, robust and accessible booking process that utilizes custom tools, marketing guidance, and strategic operations advice. We're invested in your success and want to be an aggressive ally and advisor.
Clark Film Buying has been helping movie theaters manage their movie line ups for several decades. We've done that by staying on top of movie booking trends, modern theater solutions, and insider knowledge from within the film distribution industry. As a movie exhibitor you need the confidence that you are getting the right product at the right time, consistently, so that you are free to focus on other core areas of your movie theater business.
If you have recently acquired ownership or operations of a movie theater or venue, getting movies is your main priority. The first step is to find a film buyer to book the movies for you. Although you can certainly book movies directly with the film distribution companies, many movie theater operators find that the time, logistics and effort can be daunting.
For the most part, no. Although there are some exceptions, Film Buyers are not usually involved in other aspects of theater management, such as: payroll, advertising, marketing, food and beverage service, cleaning, security services, maintenance or banking.
Clark Film Buying understands though that the film buyer role is changing and our team of film buyers are here to help you gain connections, enhance movie theater operations and book, schedule, and market the movies in your theater. While we don't work in any other aspects of theater management we are able to utilize our movie booking circuit to find the solutions you need in all areas of the movie theater business.
Clark Film Buying books movies that our exhibitors need. That means we book movies ranging from First Run, Intermediate, Sub Run, Independent, Art and Documentary movies that are available in Theatrical Distribution. Clark Film Buying has also expanded our knowledge and network to include booking alternative content such as fights, concerts, e-sports and other large scale events that can bolster a venue's programing.
Clark Film Buying works with a diverse circuit of movie theaters consisting of indoor, drive in, arthouse, amusement, dine-in and preferred large format locations. Surprisingly, Clark Film Buying also works with non-theatrical exhibitors such as community centers, churches, bars and restaurants that maybe looking at diversifying their services. Requirements for a venue from our distributors are that the location is permanent and that no part of the facility is mobile.
Clark Film Buying makes weekly phone calls and sends emails updating our movie theater operators on all aspects of the movie booking process. We are available anytime, even after hours. We also provide a weekly worksheet that the exhibitor or movie theater manager can use to view upcoming bookings and make adjustments as needed.
At Clark Film Buying, we create a relationship with our movie theater owners and managers. We work in an environment in which communication is valued highly and the exhibitor holds the final decision on film bookings. Clark Film Buying’s role is to gather as much information for the exhibitor as possible so that the exhibitor or theater managers is comfortable with all booking decisions. Many movie theater owners come to us feeling that their opinions do not matter and are looking to gain more control over the content in their theaters. Clark Film Buying reestablishes that sense of control for them. We also utilize the latest, intuitive, custom tools to streamline and enhance movie theater operations so exhibitors can concentrate on creating experiences for their audience.
Clark Film Buying exhibitors can log into their own custom built movie theater portal and access scores of information including: booking sheets, invoicing, movie distributor payment information, movie payment scales and sales policies, news and upcoming events and a comprehensive movie database with all the digital marketing assets approved by the distributors. As a Clark Film Buying exhibitor you will be able to view the same booking sheet as your film buyer while discussing upcoming movie booking strategies. This is just one more aspect of the service Clark Film Buying is cultivating that enhances our movie theater operators experiences. Our booking tool is also responsive and mobile-friendly. You will no longer have to wait to get to the office to check your movie bookings as it allows you to access the site anywhere and at anytime.
Costs for film rental are dependent on a number of variables including state the venue is located in, when the content was played, and the terms negotiated for the licensing of the content. There is not one set amount per film, per showing. Film Rental terms are normally set as a percentage of box office ticket sales vs a minimum guaranteed amount. Please contact Clark FIlm Buying and set up a consultation for more information.
Film Rental is paid directly to the distributor of the content either by way of check, ACH or wire transfer. Distributors do not accept credit card payments. Clark Film Buying does not pay film rental to the distributors on behalf of our exhibitors.
Exhibitors in return enjoy more autonomy and authority in their accounting. Any issues that arise from non-payment of film rental are the exhibitor's responsibility. Our movie theater owners and managers appreciate this and desire to have more control over their finances. This practice also expedites the booking process.
A Box Office Report is a report on the movie ticket sales for a movie booking. It is limited to a 7 day play week and must account for total number of movie tickets sold each day at each price point. Any applicable taxes are also accounted for. Film Rental is then calculated from the net gross revenue of movie tickets sold, indicated on the report. For an added fee Clark Film Buying will calculate and submit Box Office Reports on behalf of our exhibitors.
Clark Film Buying has invested in our own proprietary movie theater tools that have the same features and advantages of the accounting software such as Hollywood Software, Exhibitor Management System and others without having to pass on to our partners the huge licensing fees that other film buyers pay to utilize those systems.
We are fully automated and integrated with Comscore, Swift, and Deluxe
There are a number of ways a movie theater owner or manager can hire a film buyer:
- A Film Buyer can be an employee of the company that owns or operates movie theaters. They are usually salaried and do not take on clients other than the movie theater or chain of movie theaters that they work for.
- A Film Buyer can be an independent contractor and be hired by the movie theater owner or manager directly. As an independent contractor, a film buyer can charge either a flat monthly fee, a flat fee for each booking or screen or a percent of the theater's box office revenue.
-Clark Film Buying works on a flat monthly fee model. We have a simple month to month contract. Additional services may require additional fees.
There are many considerations that Clark Film Buying takes into account when determining a monthly fee for a new movie exhibitor. From the number of screens, the number of locations, and the type of booking strategy, Clark Film Buying allows flexibility in our fee structure to accommodate any budge type. Please contact Clark Film Buying to discuss potential fees and booking services.
One sheets are premium movie posters with 27 x 41 dimensions that were standardized at the turn of the 20th century and have been used ever since in lighted poster cases adorning the exterior and interior lobby's of movie theaters. Currently Posters in the One Sheet size are 27 x 40. Distributors create and send out One Sheets to accompany a booking of their film or event. One sheets procured by theaters cannot be duplicated or sold.
Clark Film Buying offers detailed guides and step by step instructions for ordering posters, one sheets, standees, banners, bus shelters, and promotional give away items.
For many years movie theaters were delivered reels of 35mm film in canisters that were then placed on platters and shown through the project. Then starting in 2012, 35mm was no longer being produced and the pivot to digital projection began. Now content is delivered on encrypted hard drives called DCPs or Digital Cinema Packages. Content on DCPs can only be unlocked with DCI (Digital Cinema Initiative) approved equipment. Currently there is momentum to convert the DCP system to a satellite or internet based download system via networks such as DCDC (Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition), Meta Media, e Cinema, Direct TV, or Proludio.
All content shown in a movie theater, regardless of admission charges, movie ticket prices, or how the movie and alternative content is acquired, will need to be licensed from the distributor or rights holder of that content. The distributor will take action against a venue for showing unlicensed content.
A Film Buyer will help facilitate the licensing process. Clark Film Buying is only willing to work with venues that properly license all of their content.
The first step in the process is to reach out to a Film Buyer and secure booking services. Then, a venue will need to submit signed and notarized paperwork from the distributors, granting the venue license to show the films as well as establishing the rules and regulations and polices around the exhibition of content.
Access to certain content will be established based on a number of factors including grossing history, ticket prices, location and print counts.
There are a number of rules and regulations when licensing a movie to be shown in a movie theater or other venue. These rules and regulations stipulate the policies regarding minimum playtime, holdover figures, and showtime policies. A consultation with Clark Film Buying will help navigate the requirements.
Clark FIlm Buying cannot secure licensing on behalf of movie theaters and other venues that are not in a physical location with distributor approved projection equipment that is permanently affixed to the structure. A ticket system for admission is also a requirement.
Clark Film Buying is always eager to help distributors find movie theater and other venues for their films. We are also in the process of creating a bold industry program for independent filmmakers to get their projects into venues. Please contact Clark Film Buying to schedule a consultation on our distribution services.
Movie theater booking agents spend their days building connections, speaking with movie theater operators, and promoting various types of movies and content. In short, working with a movie theater booking agent or film buyer dramatically helps increase the chances of your movie landing on movie theater screens.
Founded in 1994, Clark FIlm Buying has grown to serve one of the largest and most diverse networks of movie theater exhibitors in the United States. Clark Film Buying is known for its deep industry knowledge and dedication to movie theater exhibitors.
Clark Film Buying has always been a family-oriented business and this became especially true as Codi and Ken Kruse's commitment to innovation and technology has had an enormous impact on the business and has lead to industry-leading cloud-based tools that enable Clark Film Buying's movie theater operators to more easily manage all their movie bookings, market their film programming, and drive their movie theatre's profitability. Today, Clark Film Buying prides itself on providing wonderful exhibitor support coupled with better technology to make film buying easier for movie theater exhibitors.
Clark Film Buying is located in beautiful Bozeman, Montana and services movie theaters across the United States.
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Please fill out the form below for questions about operating a movie theater, booking movies for your theater or distributing your movie to theaters. We will email you to schedule an appointment for a phone consultation regarding your request.